Noisette

Hello Pierre, the English equivalent is 'glug-glug' ? The Brits like to economise on ink ?

It's precisely because we are where we are that couples can choose to own a house instead of reproducing. Contraception and abortion have ensured that. Equally, when I left UK, it was a 'career choice' on the part of thousands of young, single girls to reproduce as a means to getting housed and fed at the expense of the State. It would be interesting to see what would happen to birth rates in both UK and France if child benefits were reduced or withdrawn altogether.

Ah but it's not just the religious leaders is it? Governments do their fair share of social engineering, according to the rise or fall of the national birth-rate. IIRC, women in France that produce 4 or more offspring are given a medal (as well as not needing to work thanks to the generous CAF).

I haven't had much interaction with Ken but from the little there has been, I found it amusing that he would have tried to be diplomatic. I also found his indignation with regard to the fixed views of his neighbours quite comical. His dogmatic bulldozing of other posters' knowledge of a subject, and/or their opinions is quite breathtaking, but as I don't have time to waste or any inclination for arguing the toss on forums, I'll let it go. So....my post was just the result of an irresistible urge to have a gentle dig. I do apologise if it confused you ?

The new road name has been up for some months, not that anyone is using it ? As for a number, I wonder just where they'll stick it? No gateposts or fences here, we live in the barn and sticking anything on the stonework isn't an option! If they fix it to the letterbox, it will probably collapse ? It couldn't be........a case of OH having to dust off his tools and (shock, horror) put up another post? I'd better start preparing him psychologically.....heehee.

You're generalising again, sweetie ? There's a whole swathe of people that have had a bellyfull of peace, quiet and restrictions!

??? Diplomatically?? Isn't it annoying when people aren't prepared to entertain any point of view but their own? ?

Happy New Year, EuroTr@sh ? Hope 2022 brings you happiness, health and all that you desire. P.S. I'm beginning to see what you mean ?

Hooooo Ken you're way off beam, there. The generalisations are verging on the comic. For a start, the definitions of 'fat' 'obese' or 'overweight' are entirely arbitrary, based on an ideal, one-size-fits-all standard that doesn't take any account of individual circumstances, ethnicity or genetics. They seem to be based on the current aesthetic model which is a nonsense. For a start, the height/weight/ body mass ratios don't take any account of bone density or muscle mass. As for greed being the main cause of obesity, that simply isn't true. Haven't we all known examples of people who could scoff vast amounts of all the 'wrong' foods and still stay stick-thin? And others who were by no means greedy but only have to look at a profiterole to gain 2 kgs ? I'd say the biggest factor is physical activity and a switched 'on' or 'off' metabolism. It's not necessarily a genetic thing, either. I've seen at first hand the 'programming' of French friends' children, from the age of 5, resulting in a sensible attitude to diet and a pattern for life that ensures an active, effective metabolism. Taken in conjunction with a fair amount of physical activity, I'm convinced that that is the key to the 'French paradox'.

That's easy to sort out ? A week in Eymet just before the big day will provide you with all the carol singers/services that you could wish for., as well as a couple of pubs that are probably more authentic than anything in UK. Then spend the big day in the Pyrénées. I believe that they have snow there ? As for your birthday, I do sympathise. I've had to organise everything myself for the last 40 years, if I wanted to mark the occasion. It's a straight choice, really. You either do organise it and enjoy yourself, or not ...and mope ? Life's too short for moping!

Why is that a problem? There are bars and restaurants for those that want to eat and drink outside the home. And before you start on about French bars not being like UK pubs, trust me, in several parts of France, enterprising Brits have created atypical bars that would do justice to Thame or Woking. But as you have a deep horror of Brit enclaves, you wouldn't go there.....? Just out of interest, what is your definition of 'the Christmas spirit'?

I am sorry, WB. Can only wish you a much happier one next year and that 'things' get sorted out asap so the travelling can be resumed ☺️

The commercialism was/is there if you seek it out, if you want it, but it was much easier to avoid it here if you didn't!

Well what a couple of miseries!! ? Since I first came to France, I appreciated the (relative) lack of commercialism, the fact that it didn't actually start in September as in UK, and the 'two for the price of one' reveillons a week apart. D'accord, after a few years of the incessant publicité around food and drink, I started feeling like une oie après le gavage without even getting as far as Christmas, but even that turned out positive as I sat there with my green salad and Perrier ? OK, not Perrier, champagne.... But it's all about the people you spend time with, isn't it? Perhaps it's actually an advantage not to have to spend the festive season with family that you haven't chosen but with friends that you have?

Nothing does seem to dissuade certain sections of the Brit ex-pat community from carrying on as they have always done, right throughout the pandemic. Rules, testing, financial constraints, Gov advice.....nothing seems to get through to them. They're also quite frequently the first to point the finger at others (especially on social media) about perceived irresponsibility! Perhaps I'm missing something, but in this day and age we have access to technology which enables people to see, hear and talk to family and friends on the other side of the world, never mind the Channel. I'm not unfeeling, but surely if you care about your family, you'd make do with that rather than putting them and yourself at risk, as wel las prolonging this situation for everyone else ? I'm sorry to read about your grandson, and your, hopefully just delayed, Christmas, Gardian. But I do applaud your responsible decision.

So....not many thus far ? @Betise....why would he? FWIW, having come very close to being disenfranchised altogether, I'm looking forward immensely to exercising my democratic right as a citoyenne ? It's no use complaining about things if you're not prepared to make the slightest effort to change them. What would/will seriously tick me off is if my preferred candidate is sabotaged i.e. assassinated before ever getting as far as the election. There's nothing remotely democratic about political hatchet jobs on the opposition! ALBF, do you honestly believe that the 'choice' in UK is better? I'd struggle to find the motivation to vote there, truly.

One way around the glitch is to compose the message in Word, or Open Office or whatever, save the file and then attach that. A faff, but better than nothing. Mind you, having the courtesy of a reply is a whole autre chose ?

Just out of interest, how many members of CF will have the right to vote in the Présidentielle next year?

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Top tip: Look for an 'icing bag' type of truc in the bricos, or failing that, make one by cutting the corner off a strong plastic bag. Pros have a sort of pistolet affair for pointing, but I've never seen one for sale to particuliers. It speeds things up considerably, and there's less waste than with the trad method of trowelling or raclette-ing. ?

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Stop generalising...?

Just for once, you're right about that ? It's because the Maire is red-hot on applying and enforcing sanitary measures against Covid. Has been right from the outset. With the number of Brits in the area all flitting to and from the UK, who can blame him? Anyway, back on planet Earth, our house name is a Lieu-dit as are all the others not actually in the village. We're soon to have a road name and number, but doubt anyone will use those. The only confusion that arises with the old system is where there are two or three properties all under one LD name, but the regular posties don't have any problem.

Do you think France is ready for a woman leader? It's noticeable in this area that many Maires are women, and the Prés of the Département is female, so perhaps the entrenched chauvinism is weakening. It's early days, though. If Macron does stand again, there's plenty of time for further political assassination, which is what happened to François Fillon. In Zemmour's case he wouldn't have to do much as the media have already decided to do it for him.

Beautiful job! I am reliably informed that jointing is the OHs work. At least, that's how I was conned into grouting about 500m2 of floor and wall tiles during our renovation. I still get flashbacks if I catch a glimpse of a bag of grout ?